Chapter Eighty nine

Third Person's POV;

Loss. It's one of the most difficult things to deal with. It's proof of how ephemeral this world really is. It slices into your heart and takes a piece that can never be recovered. It creates a vacuum that never actually gets filled.

It is said that people never get over the loss of a loved one, they just adapt to the pain over time. The consequences of loss are lasting especially when there is a constant reminder of that loved one. But, life must go on.

A week had passed since the unfortunate happening in Ariana's life and she had been pulling the strong front even when everyone saw through her.

Her husband and his family had been blessings indeed. They came through for her in more ways than she expected.

The last few days, she did not have to lift a finger and everything was set up for her father's funeral. She was grateful that she did not have to go through the stress of taking decisions in such a trying time.

It was so hard to come to terms with the fact that the one man who had been her everything since forever was gone and never returning. She had become a shadow of herself but still forced smiles here and there. She had cried so much, her eyes were aching

All clad in black, they went on to pay their last respects to a good man, just a week after his demise.

Her father was Catholic so they had the funeral service done in a cathedral where lots of guests were in attendance. Most of them were close friends with her father and when they wouldn't stop making Ariana cry with their consoling words, Damien had her surrounded by his bodyguards to stop anyone from getting direct access from her.

She had to climb up the podium to give a parting speech to him and she swore that there was nothing harder she had to face than this.

She licked her chapped lips even as her eyes quickly roved over the sad, teary and solemn faces that crowded the hall.

"I'm not going to be so formal on this one. I'm just going to let my heart out." She said softly to the microphone as she heard her voice echo from the speakers.

"I never knew my mother. I never had a sibling either. As a child, a small part of me would wonder what it would feel like to have a family just like any other person out there, with both parents and siblings. I didn't get to have any of those but with my father, I lacked nothing. I never felt lonely because I had him. He single handedly brought up the woman standing in front of you today." She said, fighting back the tears that were beginning to cloud her vision.

"He was the best father anyone can wish for. Papa, my heart breaks over and over with the thought of never seeing you again." She almost reached out to caress his face that laid with a smile in the open casket.

"He's gone to rest and he will be thoroughly missed. Rest in peace dad. I hope to see you again someday." She ended her speech and stealthily climbed down the podium with one last glance at the casket before she took her seat between her husband and mother inlaw who placed comforting hands on her waist and shoulder respectively.

The procession ended at the cemetery where Harold Delaney was finally laid to rest amid a fresh outpouring of tears. They trooped out of the place thereafter.

More and more sympathizers came down to the house tiring her further. She needed a break already.

"Ariana." She heard a familiar voice call out to her in the middle of her conversation with Aiden who was trying his best to cheer her up.

"Hi, Nolan." She said with a sigh.

"Accept my condolences. I'm so sorry I couldn't come sooner." He said, holding onto her two hands as he tried to lock her in an embrace.

"Nolan you really don't have to hug me." She muttered as she pulled back.

"We used to hug all the time, why are you pushing me away?" He protested.

"Things were different back then. Now, I'm mar-"

"Married. Again with your damn marital status getting in the way!" He yelled before he could stop himself.

"Why do you keep bothering my wife?!" Damien came in from nowhere.

"Keep your feelings aside, respect her wishes and give her the space she requires!" He gritted out, fiercely glaring at a fuming Nolan.

"Leave." Damien spat, pointing at the entrance. He truly was trying to not cause a scene in the presence of the guests who were watching closely.

"And who are you to tell me to leave?" Nolan bit back, facing Damien squarely.

"Need I remind you that your monthly earning is nothing compared to what my boss earns per hour."

That was Miguel who had currently been promoted to the position of the head bodyguard overseeing all security of the Kingston villa. Of course these two would never see eye to eye ever since they first met so it was no surprise Miguel was the one who spoke that way.

"Miguel, see to it that he's escorted and never sets foot here again." Damien ordered and took his wife's hand and was about to lead her away from the drama.

"Ariana?" Nolan called out once again.

"I can't believe you'd let him do this to me." He said hurtfully.

"I'm sorry Nolan but it's best that you leave right now. We don't need anymore stuff to worry about at the moment. Please understand." She uttered softly even as her eyes drooped in sadness. Her hands were tied at this point.

She turned away and followed her husband further into the house.

***

Nolan was hurt. Really hurt.

The fact that the one woman he had fallen in love with had treated him like a stranger.

He regretted how cowardly he got whenever he tried broaching the topic of them being more than friends. Now he had lost her to a man he could never measure up to.

How he wished he had told her right from the beginning that he had fallen for her, maybe they could have been an item and probably even married already.

Even though it really hurt his heart to let her go, he had no choice. He knew that she wasn't going to come back to New York as the only reason she ever would visit was gone to the great beyond.

He had to teach his heart to move on, no matter how much it tore him apart.

He would let her go.

For now.

What?

You were thinking he would give up just like that?

No, that definitely was not Nolan Gonzalez.

If he knew Ariana at all, surely her marriage with that arrogant billionaire was not going to last.

She was too fragile to handle the life that came with such status and she would always choose her low-key life over anything and when that divorce eventually happens. He would be ready with open arms for her to run into and stay in forever.

He smiled. He would make so much money, she would never have to worry about that arsehole again.

"You'll be mine Ari, I know it. I'll let the billionaire enjoy his moment. I'm going to have you forever." He mused with a wishful grin.

"In your dreams man."

Out of nowhere, his former colleague interrupted his day dream.

"Lucy?"

"I saw everything that happened over at Ariana's place and I'd advise you as a friend," she said staring down at him seated on the park bench.

"Get over whatever it is you feel for her. From what I've seen, Ariana and that husband of hers are stuck like glue and even if they do separate, you still do not stand a chance." Lucy said plainly and a little too harshly for his liking.

"Why would you say that?" He was offended.

"No woman wants to be with a man who thinks that she's with her current man for his money and keeps throwing it in her face. It shows how low you think of her."

"I can bet, you're thinking of how to make so much money so you can get her off his hands." She pointed out and he was tongue tied.

"Touché."

"Just get over it already and focus and who really loves you."

"And who is that?" He inquired.

"Me." She confessed without hesitance while holding his gaze.

"I don't know how to answer to that."

"You don't have to answer to it. Let's just go with the flow." She said more gently.

"Alright." He said like he was entranced by her words and actions. He took her outstretched hand and they walked further into the busy city, chattering and bantering and actually getting to know each other.

This could after all be a start of something new.